We’re creating a culture where everyone can feel and be their best. Working in a profession with a reputation where numbers matter more than people, we put people first. At BKL we exist to make a difference to the lives of our people, clients and communities. We believe that by putting our people first we’ll all be more successful.

What does that mean for people at BKL? In part, it’s about flexibility and choice: we’ve embraced flexible working; our IT strategy emphasises working on any device, anywhere at any time; and every day is dress-down Friday. It’s also about giving everyone a voice: we have whole firm meetings called From The Horse’s Mouth, where senior leaders talk to everyone about the business and answer questions; and we’ve also set up open sessions for anyone to come and speak to the BKL Board about their creative and innovative ideas. If our people are in an environment where they have a voice and can work at their best, then we have happy people and happy clients.

Running through all of this are our values, which we developed through conversations across BKL:

• Think big
• Take pride
• Do the right thing
• Enjoy it
• In it together

As well as working with people who are proud to be here, you’ll also get to work with exciting, innovative clients who trust us to help them grow, in the UK and internationally. If you’re starting out as a trainee, you will be in touch with clients early on in your career.

There’s so much variety, including a few names and brands you may have heard of:

• Terry’s Chocolate
• Creative Diversity Network
• nChain and a growing number of blockchain, crypto and other fintech businesses
• Hush Homewear
• Fusion Students
• Palmer’s
• Bridge Theatre
• Claude Littner, who let us interview him!

In a truly inclusive culture, initiative comes not just from senior leaders but from everyone at BKL. Mosaic, our impact forum, help us to celebrate our diversity and support our wellbeing through activities such as our annual multicultural lunch.

As well as learning from each other at BKL, other organisations are with us on our inclusion journey. We’ve been working with social mobility charity LTSB (Leadership Through Sport and Business) since they were founded in 2012.

External recognition helps us to know that we’re on the right track, so we were proud to be the Taxation Awards 2023 winner for Best Employer in Tax.

Our location in Finchley, North London, means that many of our people don’t have to worry about a commute into and out of Central London. We have local parking for those that drive and good public transport links with Finchley Central tube station (Northern Line) a few minutes from us.

There are plenty of places to eat nearby, with parks and gardens a short walk away. And we have to mention that the nearest pub is next door to us.

We completed a major office refurbishment in 2020. When you come through our doors, you get to enjoy a fresh, modern workplace – from big screens to coffee machines, quiet rooms to high-tech meeting rooms, booths to the balcony, and the two full-body massage chairs in our wellbeing room.

Joining with Wilson Wright in 2024 gives us all these benefits – a smart, welcoming office – in the heart of London too.

Some of the ways in which we look after and listen to our people who work at BKL are:

• Employee benefits – including health cover, reward scheme, season ticket loans and subsidised gym membership
• Referral rewards – payments for employees who introduce new clients and colleagues
• Trained mental health first aiders
• A combination of periodic employee surveys and individual colleague feedback surveys to support professional development through open conversations